Read Comics in Public Day August 28th 2011

It is almost that time of year again to “read comics in public day”. This is one of those fun things you can do to raise awareness of comic books, the comic market, and read your favorite comic book in public to see if you can individually help raise awareness for comics. What the heck, you can even do this on your lunch hour and not feel guilty about it, or have to wash your hands afterwards. Who knows, it could even be fun.

The concept is fairly simple: we’re asking that everyone take an hour or two out of their day on August 28th (also the birthday of Jack “King” Kirby, incidentally) to read a comic book in a public setting–a park bench, a beach, a bus, the front steps of your local library (we do ask, however, that you be mindful of local loitering laws). Let strangers see you reading a piece of sequential art. Take to the streets. Be proud. If someone asks what you’re reading, say, “a comic book” (the phrase “graphic novel” is also acceptable, but let’s face it, it sort of defeats the whole purpose). Heck, lend them a book, if you’ve got an extra–what better way to make a new friend and convert a new reader?

While you’re at it, why not get a friend to snap a picture of you reading? Send it along and we’ll post it up for you in our photo gallery and on our site.

They also have a flickr pool that you can load your pictures of you reading comics in public if you want to be a bit more showoff about it. In the mean time this is an awesome way of bringing more awareness to the art form that is comic books. It does not matter if it is just a simple 32 page serial or a mega 600 page trade paperback, as long as it is a comic, it’s ok to read it in public.